In a big hit to air travel in North and Central India, more than 430 flights have been cancelled and 27 airports closed for the time being, which include functional airports like Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Chandigarh, Amritsar, and Shimla. The massive disarray this has caused, at the height of the vacationer season, has left thousands stranded and travel plans in shambles. With the closure of airports in Central India scheduled to continue until May 10, the authorities have issued an urgent travel advisory instructing passengers to check the status of their flights and consider other ways of travel. This major shutdown is one of the greatest forms of disruption in aviation to be experienced in India over the years.

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 Why Are Flights Cancelled in India This Week?

The extensive airport closings are a direct result of a high-level military response, ‘Operation Sindoor’, launched by India after a deadly terrorist attack earlier this month on the sunny slopes of Pahalgam, in Kashmir, killed 26 Indian tourists on 22 April. The move targeted nine major terrorist hideouts believed to be associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

     In response, Pakistan initiated a cease-fire violation in Poonch and hinted at further counterattacks. For the security and safety of civilians and to avoid escalation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered the temporary suspension of 27 strategic airports in Northern and Central India as a precautionary measure.

Regions Most Impacted-

 The military operations have resulted in the temporary shutdown of 27 airports in northern, western, and central India.

Key affected airports include:

• Jammu & Kashmir: Srinagar, Jammu, Leh
• Punjab: Amritsar, Pathankot, Bathinda
• Himachal Pradesh: Shimla, Dharamshala, Gaggal, Chandigarh,
• Rajasthan: Jodhpur, Bikaner, Kishangarh
• Gujarat: Bhuj, Jamnagar, Kandla
• Madhya Pradesh: Gwalior.

 These closures have caused domestic and international flight issues as airlines such as Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet have suspended or redirected their flights.

Timeframe: Till May 10.

 The Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has stated that the affected airports will be closed by 5:29 AM IST on Saturday, May 10. Airlines have issued advisories where they are giving full refunds or rescheduling options for passengers booked during such period.

Ongoing and Expected Developments

• Airspace Restrictions: Pakistan declared the closure of its airspace for two days; this meant that tens of international flights were either rerouted or cancelled. International
• Flight Disruptions: Air companies such as Lufthansa, KLM, Singapore Airlines, as well as Thai Airways, have altered their flight routes in an effort to avoid the conflict areas, leading to slow flight durations and booking issues.
• Reuters Travel Advisories: Other countries, such as the UK, US, and Australia, also updated their travel advisories, warning against traveling to areas close to the India-Pakistan border and advising tourists to keep up with developments.

Travel Advisory

Travelers are strongly advised to:

• Check Flight Status: Airlines’ communication should be constantly monitored for the status of flight schedules.
•  Stay Informed: Stay informed about the security situation by following official news outlets and government advisories.
•  Exercise Caution: Take non-essential travel outside the region if the situation becomes stable.

 Considering the changing environment of the conflict, travellers should keep an eye out for possible changes in their plans at a moment’s notice.

 Full List of Affected Airports in India

North India

These airports are among the most impacted due to their proximity to the Line of Control and the Kashmir valley:

Jammu & Kashmir:

• Srinagar
• Jammu
• Leh

Himachal Pradesh:

• Shimla
• Gaggal (Kangra/Dharamsala)
• Bhuntar (Kullu-Manali)

Punjab:

• Amritsar
• Ludhiana
• Bathinda
• Pathankot
• Patiala

Chandigarh:

• Chandigarh Airport

Major cities affected: Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Dharamsala

West India

Several western airports have been shut due to strategic importance and proximity to Pakistan’s border:

Rajasthan:

• Jodhpur
• Bikaner
• Kishangarh (Ajmer)

Gujarat:

• Bhuj
• Jamnagar
• Kandla

Major cities affected: Jodhpur, Bikaner, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Ajmer

Central India

Airports here remain shut till May 10 as a precautionary measure under high-security alert:

Madhya Pradesh:

• Gwalior
• Khajuraho

Uttar Pradesh:

• Agra
• Bareilly

Major cities affected: Gwalior, Agra, Khajuraho

 What Travellers Should Know

Stay Informed: Check Airline Notifications

Given the current fluidity of the situation, it is important to remain pertinent.

1. Air India: Domestic flights to and from Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot have been cancelled till 05:29 on May 10. Passengers who have been affected have the right to a one-time purchase exemption from the rescheduling fee or full refunds.
2. IndiGo: Flexible policy for change and cancellations: This particular policy allows passengers to have a full waiver of the change and cancellation fees for the flights between Srinagar and other destinations if the bookings are made before April 22, 2025, and travel within May 22, 2025.
3. SpiceJet: Temporary changes in policies for passengers with a booking to travel to affected destinations such as Leh, Srinagar, Jammu, Dharamshala, Kandla, or Amritsar up to May 10, 2010.

 Refunds and Rescheduling Policies

Thus, airline companies are granting flexible terms to deal with the passengers who have been affected.

• Air India: Customers can claim a refund up to two years from the time the ticket was issued. Refund policies may vary based on the type of fare, the route, and the time of cancellation.
• IndiGo: The service presented by the airline enables passengers to receive refunds or alter their ticket in accordance with the ‘Plan B’ feature found on the company’s website.
• Air India Express: Can be changed within a window that spans up to 7 days before the date of the flight and up to 7 days after the initial flight date, or cancelled up to the date of the first scheduled departure for a refund.

Steps to Take If Your Flight Is Cancelled

Contact Your Airline: Contact through opening the official website, customer service phone numbers, or an excellent mobile application to know your choices.

• Explore Alternatives: Otherwise, try and look for other roads or means of transport if possible.
• Document Everything: Document all your conversations and correspondence about any changes made to your flights.
• Check Travel Insurance: Check whether the policy has provisions for cancellations as a result of such occurrences.

 Travel Advisory by Authorities

Important Considerations

• Stay Updated: In general, always update yourself with the latest current affairs by consulting the travel advisory website and newspapers or any trustworthy news source.
• Safety First: All unnecessary travel to the affected areas should be discouraged until the situation returns to normal.
• Plan Ahead: Prepare for possible delays in the planning and scheduling of trips and ensure adjustments can be made before the event.

DGCA & MoCA Announcements

• Real-Time Passenger Updates: Airlines are required to report the flight delays and cancellations through the airline website and through bulk messages, WhatsApp, and email, as stated by the DGCA. This ensures that passengers are made aware of any changes to their plans as far as their travel is concerned.
• Aircraft Parking Protocols: The MoCA has specifically instructed airlines not to park aircraft in remote stands for long hours. Only airplanes should be placed on contact stands to ensure the comfortable transition of passengers to the terminal complexes and to increase security measures.
• Staff Sensitization: Delays and cancellations should be explained clearly to passengers by adequately trained ground staff through continuous briefing.

Know Your Rights: It also states that every airline company has to communicate the passenger rights to their customers when it comes to delays, cancellations of their particular flight, and any other circumstances that may affect the flight. This information should be disseminated through SMS, WhatsApp, tickets, and their respective websites.

Guidelines for Affected Passengers

• Stay Informed: It is also important to follow your airline’s official communication platforms for the most up-to-date information regarding your specific flight.
• Utilize Refund and Rescheduling Options: Currently, airlines are giving free options such as full refund and rescheduling without any extra charges. If you have any issues, please contact your airline’s customer service.
• Plan for Extended Delays: Based on the dynamics described, expect there could be additional time consumption, and be ready with backups.

Alternate Travel Modes

Regarding the  flight cancelled in India , here are other ways to travel:

• Indian Railways: Some of what you might like to know is that trains are currently in service across the country. Booking can be done through the Internet through the IRCTC site or the travel agents who have been accredited.
• Road Travel: All the national highways and expressways are in very good condition because they are fully capable of accommodating all the traffic that is being experienced. The options to travel from one city to another include buses as well as car rental services.
• Car Rentals: For self-organized sightseeing, car rental is an option to consider. The services are available in the larger cities, and one can make the bookings with the service providers online or through any local agents that may have been subcontracted.

Impact on Domestic Travel & Summer Vacation Plans

Tourist Destinations Affected

Some of the most famous tourist destinations, including Srinagar, Leh, Jammu, Dharamshala, and Amritsar, have been badly hit in terms of bookings. Media sources reveal initial cancellations and a reluctance from tourists toward travelling to the region, and especially to Kashmir and the areas around it.

Similarly, the shutdown of 27 airports has also affected other sectors of travelling, such as to Jodhpur, Bikaner, Gwalior, Rajkot, Kishangarh, etc, leaving people with disturbed summer vacations.

The extent to which domestic travel and tourism are affected will, however, depend on the progression of the situation in the next few days. Most travel businesses are continually tracking the situation and recommending that their clients be prepared and adaptable regarding their travel plans.

      As regards the current state of flight cancellations in India, in addition to information available through airlines, travellers are advised to heed travel warnings and alerts.

   In India, over 430 flights have been cancelled and 27 airports have been closed temporarily due to Operation Sindoor, right when the summer vacation has begun. Unforeseen disturbances are expected to be carried out up to May 10, including the restriction of leisure and essential travel. On social media, angry passengers report cancellations, helplines are constantly engaged, and they resort to seeking other forms of transportation through train or bus companies. In this case, save up via your airline mobile application, the Know Your Rights portal by the DGCA, or travel advisories. As of now, the best practice that can be taken is to minimize air travel and always keep abreast with all changes in real-time.

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